The 8 Best Night Creams for Aging Skin, Tested and Reviewed
As a skincare-obsessed millennial, my first introduction to night creams came in the form of borrowing my mom’s ultra-thick, lavender-scented moisturizer. I’d slather it on my face before bed, convinced I’d wake up looking like a dewy goddess. While my understanding of skincare has since evolved, my love for a good night cream remains the same.
Aging is inevitable (unless you’ve secretly found the fountain of youth—if so, let’s chat), but the right products can help slow down the visible signs of time. Fine lines, loss of elasticity, and dullness start creeping in, making hydration and skin-repairing ingredients more important than ever. The right night cream works its magic while you sleep, helping you wake up looking refreshed, plump, and glowy.
If you’re on the hunt for a luxurious, effective, and downright dreamy night cream, I’ve got you covered. Below are eight of the best night creams for aging skin that deliver serious results.
Best Picks
1. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Retinol is the gold standard for anti-aging, and Olay’s Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer is a fantastic option if you’re looking to smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture. This drugstore gem contains a blend of retinol and niacinamide, a powerhouse combo that works to brighten and firm your skin overnight.
Why It’s a Winner:
The fragrance-free formula is perfect for sensitive skin.
It hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy.
Retinol works to boost collagen production and fade dark spots.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to retinol, start slow. Use this cream every other night until your skin adjusts. And don’t forget your sunscreen during the day—retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun!
2. CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
If your skin leans on the drier side or you have a compromised skin barrier, CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream is a must-try. This ultra-nourishing moisturizer is packed with ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid—all essential for maintaining a plump and youthful complexion.
Why It’s a Winner:
Developed with dermatologists, so you know it’s backed by science.
Ceramides help restore and strengthen the skin barrier.
Peptides promote skin firmness and elasticity.
3. Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Restorative Crème
When it comes to luxury skincare, Estée Lauder is a household name. Their Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Intensive Restorative Crème is a deeply nourishing night cream designed to improve skin elasticity, hydration, and radiance. Infused with Moringa extract, hyaluronic acid, and collagen-boosting ingredients, this cream helps smooth fine lines and restore a youthful glow overnight.
Why It’s a Winner:
Rich yet fast-absorbing texture that feels luxurious.
Provides intense hydration while supporting skin renewal.
Helps improve firmness and elasticity over time.
4. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still packs a punch, Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer is a fantastic choice. With a highly effective dose of retinol SA (sustained-action retinol), this cream helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, even out skin tone, and refine texture—all without breaking the bank.
Why It’s a Winner:
Clinically proven to show results in as little as one week.
Contains hyaluronic acid for extra hydration.
Gentle enough for nightly use but still delivers powerful anti-aging benefits.
Pro Tip: If you have sensitive skin, apply a thin layer over a hydrating serum to minimize irritation from retinol.
5. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Night Moisturizer
If your skin is sensitive, reactive, or prone to redness, La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Ultra Night Moisturizer is a dream come true. This soothing, fragrance-free formula is packed with niacinamide, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water to calm and deeply hydrate skin overnight.
Why It’s a Winner:
Ideal for sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
Provides lasting hydration without irritation.
Contains soothing ingredients to reduce redness and inflammation.
6. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream is like a protein smoothie for your skin. Formulated with a blend of peptides, amino acids, and pygmy waterlily extract, this night cream helps improve skin tone, texture, and firmness while providing deep hydration.
Why It’s a Winner:
Peptides help strengthen and firm the skin.
Lightweight gel-cream texture absorbs quickly.
Packed with antioxidants to combat environmental damage.
Pro Tip: Mix it with Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum for an extra boost of moisture overnight.
7. Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream
This powerhouse night cream from Peter Thomas Roth is designed to protect and repair the skin barrier while fighting signs of aging. It features prebiotics and antioxidants to defend against environmental stressors, plus vitamin E to nourish and hydrate.
Why It’s a Winner:
Strengthens the skin’s microbiome for a healthier complexion.
Provides anti-aging benefits while deeply moisturizing.
Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
8. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Night Concentrate
For those who love waking up with ultra-dewy, glowing skin, Tatcha’s Luminous Dewy Skin Night Concentrate is a must-try. This luxurious gel-based night treatment is infused with Japanese superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae to hydrate and nourish deeply.
Why It’s a Winner:
Gives skin a luminous, glass-skin effect overnight.
Packed with antioxidants for anti-aging benefits.
Lightweight yet intensely hydrating.
How to Choose the Best Night Cream for Your Skin
Finding the perfect night cream for aging skin depends on your specific concerns. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Hydration Needs: If your skin tends to be dry, look for creams rich in hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. Oily skin types might prefer gel-based formulas that provide moisture without feeling heavy.
Key Ingredients: Retinol is a go-to for anti-aging, but if your skin is sensitive, peptides and antioxidants can also be incredibly effective.
Texture Preference: Some people love a thick, balm-like moisturizer, while others prefer a lightweight gel. Choose what feels most comfortable for your skin type.
Fragrance-Free vs. Scented: If you have sensitive skin, opting for fragrance-free formulas can help minimize irritation.
What makes a good night cream for aging skin?
A great night cream for aging skin should contain ingredients that support skin renewal, hydration, and elasticity. Look for formulas with retinol (to boost collagen production), hyaluronic acid (for intense hydration), peptides (to improve firmness), and antioxidants (to fight free radical damage). Additionally, a good night cream should be non-comedogenic and suitable for your skin type.
How do night creams differ from day creams?
Night creams are typically richer and more concentrated than day creams. Since your skin repairs itself overnight, night creams often contain ingredients like retinol and peptides that work best without sun exposure. Day creams, on the other hand, tend to be lighter in texture and include SPF to protect against UV damage.
At what age should I start using a night cream for aging skin?
It’s never too early to start using a night cream! In your mid-to-late 20s, collagen production begins to slow down, making it a great time to incorporate anti-aging ingredients like peptides and antioxidants. By your 30s and 40s, using a night cream with retinol or ceramides can help maintain skin elasticity and prevent deeper wrinkles.
Can I layer other skincare products with my night cream?
Yes! Night creams work best as the last step in your nighttime routine. You can layer serums, essences, and lightweight moisturizers before applying your night cream. If you use actives like retinol, vitamin C, or exfoliating acids, be mindful of potential irritation and avoid combining strong ingredients in the same routine.
How long does it take to see results from a night cream?
Results vary depending on the ingredients in your night cream and your skin type. Hydration and plumpness can be noticeable after just one night, but anti-aging benefits like reduced fine lines and improved firmness typically take 4-8 weeks of consistent use. Retinol-based creams may take longer, around 8-12 weeks, to show visible improvements in wrinkles and texture.